Q: My teeth are really worn and “flat.” What can be done to make my smile look younger?
A: We have several options for rejuvenating smiles! If your teeth are worn, missing, broken, misaligned, a full mouth restoration may be the solution. Worn or “flat” teeth are a sign of wear, and so our focus would be that of correcting your bite and restoring the proper length of your teeth. That will make you more comfortable and reduce future wear. At the same time, we can create a natural and more youthful smile for you with porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, and more in a comprehensive solution.

Q: Why should you choose Dr. Arnold at Cosmetic Dentistry Center of Lexington for your full mouth restoration?
A: This type of comprehensive dentistry takes skill and experience, to start.
To insure his objective of providing his patients the highest quality dentistry available anywhere, Dr. Arnold averages over 100 hours of advanced continuing education a year, even though minimum licensure requirements are only 15 hours per year in Kentucky. These have included, within the last 5 years, graduation from the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, The Center for Esthetic Excellence, and both levels of the Louisiana State University Cosmetic Dentistry Continuums.

Dr. Arnold is also one of only three AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) accredited doctors in the state of Kentucky. Our lab technician, Mr. Mike Morris is in-house and is one of only 16 AACD accredited lab techs in the world. This accreditation requires that they complete extensive training and education in cosmetic dentistry and that they pass a rigorous Accreditation Board Examination, which requires the demonstration of a very high level of technical skill and ability. See www.aacd.com for more information on this organization.

Q: Why is having an in-house lab important?
A: If you have been to any other dental office around, you know that their labs are off-site. What makes Cosmetic Dentistry Center special in this regard is that our master ceramist (lab tech) is just steps away from our patients. Mike Morris regularly visits with our patients to discuss their goals so that he may create their restorations to meet their individual needs. The results are gorgeous and natural looking! In terms of convenience, if there is a change to be made while our patients are in the office, Mike can oftentimes make the adjustment while the patient waits. This saves a separate office visit that would be necessary in a dental office with an outside lab. For the utmost in quality, control over results, and respect for our busy patients, our in-house lab is excellent.

Q: Can you improve my “gummy” smile?
A: In some cases, excess gum covers tooth structure, making the teeth look shorter than their optimal length. When appropriate, Dr. Arnold can re-contour gums to reduce the excess gum or to make the gum lines more even. This will “lengthen” your teeth, according to the best proportions for your face.

Q: Is gum contouring painful?
A: Our patients report mild discomfort after the anesthetic wears off, and this disappears in a day or two.

Q: I have old, dark fillings. What can be done to make them more attractive when I smile?
A: Dark metal amalgam fillings do not bleach. If you are unhappy with the way they look, we can easily replace those fillings with newer, tooth-colored materials.
Metal (amalgam) fillings have become an outdated method of treating cavities. Amalgam expands and contracts with exposure to hot and cold foods or drinks, causing the teeth to weaken and crack over time.

Composite resin is a tooth-matching mixture used now to fill cavities that strengthens tooth structure. There are no known health risks associated with composite material. Fillings made from composite are strong, long lasting, and they expand and contract like teeth do. Composite restorations lend themselves to a very natural-looking, attractive smile.

Q: How are composite fillings done?
A: After the tooth is prepared by removing decay, Dr. Arnold places the composite material in layers, using a curing light to harden each layer. After the inside of the area is structurally sound, Dr. Arnold will sculpt the composite to match the natural shape and color of your tooth. If you are considering whitening your teeth, we recommend completing the bleaching before placing any new composites on your teeth, since composite material does not bleach.

Q: What is bonding and what are its advantages?
A: Bonding is a relatively inexpensive and conservative way to restore a tooth. Sometimes called direct veneers, it is a procedure that involves placing composite material in layers directly onto the tooth and light curing to harden the layers. Our patients enjoy the immediate results that bonding offers in one visit. With bonding, we can change the color, shape, contours, and size of teeth instantly. Bonding requires a great deal of artistic skill and training. If bonding is done well, it lasts a long time and looks really natural.

Q: In what situations is bonding used?
A: Bonding is indicated for filling small cavities “invisibly,” covering permanent stains, repairing cracks and chips, closing gaps between teeth, protecting exposed root surfaces, and effecting “instant orthodontics” on misaligned teeth.

Q: What are porcelain veneers?
A: Some call them “porcelain laminates,” “laminates,” or just “veneers.” They are the premiere dental restoration available currently and are generally what compose the “movie star smiles” that everyone wants. Veneers are tooth-colored, extremely thin, porcelain shells used to cover the fronts of teeth. Ours are individually handmade in our in-house lab by our AACD accredited master ceramist, Mike Morris. These sculpted pieces of tooth-shaped porcelain are permanently bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to make them instantly straight, restore worn teeth to their youthful original shape, improve the teeth’s color, cover permanently stained teeth (e.g., by tetracycline), and repair chipped or cracked teeth beautifully.

Q: Is there really a difference between porcelain veneers from different dental offices?
A: Yes, there is a wide range of results possible, based on several factors: the training, skill and experience of the doctor, the expertise of the lab, and the interaction and communication between the doctor, staff and lab. Skilled doctor-lab tech teams custom design veneers to optimize bite function, and then create a natural, youthful smile that fits your face, gender, and personality. Having our master ceramist/lab tech in our office allows our patients the unique opportunity of meeting with all members of the restoration team throughout the process. This assures our patients that their concerns and goals are foremost in each team member’s minds. Ours is the only AACD accredited doctor/lab tech team under one roof anywhere.

Since cosmetic dentistry is not just a sideline, our office’s AACD-trained dental assistants have many hours of experience in working in the intricate process of placing porcelain veneers. Since our assistants are so accustomed to working with Dr. Arnold, together they make a team that is both highly skilled and time efficient. The bottom line for our patients is an amazingly natural, attractive smile created with their comfort in mind.

Q: How are veneers made?
A: Our in-house lab handcrafts each veneer individually using the finest porcelain powders available. Having met with the patient and Dr. Arnold, Mike Morris, CDT carefully paints layer upon layer of porcelain into perfectly-fitting shells. When baked at high temperatures, the porcelain acquires the strength and luminescence that make the veneers so perfect for smile makeovers.

Q: How are veneers placed on the teeth?
A: Our team uses the most up to date technology and materials in dentistry. Bonding technology allows us to create an extremely strong bond between your teeth and the veneers. As a matter of fact, this actually strengthens the teeth.
When the veneers are ready, we first try them on to confirm function and aesthetics. Dr. Arnold, Mike Morris/lab tech, and the patient will discuss the overall look and fit before the veneers are permanently bonded. When all are in agreement, resins are used to permanently bond the veneers to the teeth with a special dental curing light. The results are an incredibly natural and durable restoration.

Q: How many veneers should I consider getting?
A: That decision is best reached by consulting with Dr. Arnold. To get a more balanced and complete result, many times he recommends that several veneers (from 4 to 10) be done at the same time. Each case is individualized, and we would be happy to discuss your goals with you to arrive at an optimum treatment plan.

Q: How do I choose a cosmetic dentist?
A: Since dental schools have not taught cosmetic dentistry as part of their curriculums in general, qualified “cosmetic” dentists will have had many hours of additional post-dental school training. Expert cosmetic dentists will also have performed many cases and can show you photographs of their work. An important credential that indicates a doctor’s achievement clinically and artistically is that of accreditation through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD.com).

Our office goes even further to provide our patients with consistent and comfortable dental treatment with our accredited in-house lab. Unlike most dental offices, we fabricate restorations (veneers, crowns, bridges) inside our office. Mike Morris, CDT is the only AACD accredited lab technician in the state of Kentucky and one of 16 in the world. His and Dr. Arnold’s experience brings world-class quality and service to our patients every day.

Q: If I have no immediate cosmetic needs, will Dr. Arnold accept me as new continuing care patient?
A: Absolutely. Our practice has many such patients and welcomes you! In addition to our cosmetic and restorative capabilities, Dr. Arnold and our staff offer a full range of general dentistry services. We have outstanding hygienists that pamper our patients with spa amenities while they have their teeth cleaned with excellence. Our entire facility and culture has patient comfort as our primary focus.

Q: Another dentist put unnatural looking crowns on my front teeth. What can be done to improve their appearance?
A: Replacing unsightly veneers, crowns, and bridges is what we do everyday. This requires a high level of clinical skill, technology, and artistry, but is a routine procedure for us. A consultation is the best way to learn more specifics.

Q: How long do your procedures take?
A: Our in-office whitening can be done in one two-hour appointment. At-home custom whitening requires a few weeks, depending on the individual patient. Porcelain veneers, crown, and bridges can be done in three weeks or less.

Q: What is a crown?
A: A crown is a type of dental restoration that returns a tooth to its normal size, contour and strength. Crowns are necessary when teeth are badly decayed, cracked or broken down. In our office, we create them from different materials, but primarily using porcelain.

Q: Why would someone choose an all-porcelain crown?
A: Crowns that are created with all porcelain are much more translucent than porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. We use these all-porcelain crowns on front teeth, so they will look natural and not have a black line at the gum line. Often times, we replace unnatural-looking porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns with the all-porcelain crowns, which no one can tell are not “original.”

Q: What is a bridge?
A: Think of a bridge as a way to replace missing teeth with a completely natural-looking replacements that are attached permanently. We attach bridges without any clasps or metal showing, so not only do they look natural, they feel like real teeth, too.